Boise State puts Oregon in a Spin Cycle, Wins the Las Vegas Bowl

The Ducks were looking for the first victory against Boise State University. The previous two meetings between the schools have been memorable as Kellen Moore led the Broncos to victory in Eugene in 2008, and the infamous Blount punch game in Boise in 2009.

This game would be memorable, as well as another victory for Boise State.

The Ducks started the game with the ball, and the junior quarterback Justin Herbert’s first play was a five-yard completion. But the Bronco defensive line held tough and forced the Ducks into a 3-and-out, forcing Oregon to punt.

Brett Rypien and company took the field close to midfield and went right to work as their first two plays went to Wolpin, one on a check down and the other on a run that converted for two first downs.

Boise State worked their way down the field in their opening drive, and converted a fourth down on the 2-yard line. 4th down conversions haven’t been too kind to the Broncos but they found a way to punch it into the end zone.

ESPN’s Rece Davis called it the “spin cycle.” It put the Broncos up 7-0 in the first quarter.

Andy Avalos kept the pressure on the Oregon offense as they went 3-and-out, again.

Boise State went back to business on the offensive side of the ball when Rypien threw a strike to Sean Modster for 50 yards, but the second drive of the game for the Broncos stalled as Rypien threw an interception in the end zone.

With under 3 minutes to go in the first half Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch forced a fumble and put the Broncos offense back on the field. Rypien threw a strike to Cedrick Wilson in a rub route to put the Broncos up 14-0 with 1:21 to go in the first quarter.

It was safe to say that Boise State owned the first quarter. Boise State’s Kaniho sacked Herbert and the Ducks fumbled again, and the Broncos recovered. Putting the offense yet again in great field position.

End of the first quarter had Boise State up 14-0 on the Ducks.

2nd Quarter

Around the 10 minute mark of the second quarter, Cedrick Wilson went down to injury that looked like an ankle injury. He later came back into the game.

On that same drive Boise State pushed the lead to 17 after a long FG by Hoggarth.

Oregon went back on the field and their offense continued to struggle as Herbert threw an interception to Boise State’s Jordan Happle.

Boise State’s offense stalled at midfield.

Herbert went back to work but threw a Pick-6 at Kaniho putting Boise State up 24-0 with 5:11 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

PICK-SIX!!! Kekaula Kaniho with his second takeaway of the game, returning the pick 53 yards for the score! Boise State leads Oregon, 24-0, with 5:11 left in the half! #BleedBluepic.twitter.com/JdlxTc2CO8

With Boise State driving late in the first half, Boise State tried to pull a Statue of Liberty. For the first time, the play back-fired.

Oregon returned the ball for 54 yards for their first touchdown of the game.

Shortly after Brett Rypien threw a strike to Wilson with under a minute left, putting the Broncos in the red zone. Rypien threw a fade and got intercepted for a pick-6 putting Oregon only down 10 at halftime.

This all happened in 37 seconds. A wild turn of events, and what many thought was a shift in momentum.

HALFTIME: Boise State 24 Oregon 14

Second Half Notepad

With the Broncos getting the ball to start in the second half, there was a question on how Boise State would respond after the ending of the first half. It looked like there was no let down in the offense as Rypien connected with TE Alec Dhaenens on a 13-yard score. The touchdown put the Broncos back up by 3 scores, 31-14.

With 10:07 remaining in the game Oregon struck back for their first offensive touchdown of the game from Herbert to Schooler. Shrinking the Boise State lead to 10 points.

Curtis Weaver made a huge sack with just under 8:15 remaining in the game that forced the Ducks to punt. Making it one of the bigger plays of the game.

Boise State looked to burn the clock as they went back to the running game with Wolpin and Mahone. Oregon ended up burning two times outs.

Harsin surprised everyone by throwing long to Cedrick Wilson for 41 yards putting the Broncos deep in the red zone.

With 2:22 remaining in the game, Wolpin ran into the end zone to make the game 38-21.